Teen charged in East Alton shooting

EAST ALTON — A teenager previously charged with using a deadly weapon is now accused of shooting a woman at a home in East Alton Tuesday afternoon.

Steven M. Rice, 19, of the 200 block of Illinois Avenue in East Alton, is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, residential burglary and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Aggravated battery with a firearm is a Class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison. Residential burglary and aggravated discharge of a firearm are Class 1 felonies punishable by four to 15 years in prison.

East Alton Police Chief Darren Carlton said Wednesday the victim was apparently trying to keep Rice out of her house on North Old St. Louis Road when he fired a single shot into an interior door she was behind. The bullet went through the door, hit her in the back and went through her body before lodging in a wall. She was transported to a local hospital. Carlton said her injuries were not life-threatening.

Rice fled after firing the shot. Wood River police apprehended him about two hours later in East Alton, and transported him to the East Alton Police Department. Carlton said Rice would be transported sometime on Wednesday to the Madison County Jail, where he will remain held on $200,000 bond.

Rice’s motive in the shooting remains unknown, Carlton said. He did not give further details pending a full investigation.

Rice is also the subject of charges from 2014 for aggravated battery and the use of a deadly weapon. His court date for that case is set for February.

Reporter Kelsey Landis can be reached at 618-208-6460, Ext. 1396 or on Twitter @kelseylandis.